AKAWAIO: a language of Guyana

The following is the entry for this language as it appeared in the 14th edition (2000).
It was superseded by the corresponding entry in the 15th edition (2005). See also the corresponding entry in the current edition of Ethnologue.

SIL code: ARB

ISO 639-2: sai

Population	3,800 in Guyana, 9% of the Amerindians (1990 J. Forte). Population total all countries 4,300 or more.
Region	West central, north of Patamona. Also spoken in Brazil, Venezuela.
Alternate names	ACEWAIO, AKAWAI, ACAHUAYO, KAPON
Classification	Carib, Northern, East-West Guiana, Macushi-Kapon, Kapon.
Comments	Important differences in vocabulary from Patamona. Language attitudes indicate separate literature is needed. They and the Patamona call themselves 'Kapon.' Tropical forest. Upland. Hunter-gatherers, fishermen. Traditional religion. Bible portions 1873.

Also spoken in:

Brazil

Language name	AKAWAIO
Population	500 in Brazil.
Alternate names	ACEWAIO, AKAWAI, ACAHUAYO, INGARIKÓ
Comments	Close to Macushi and Arecuna. Not intelligible with Macushi. Limited bilingualism. Bible portions 1873. See main entry under Guyana.

Venezuela

Language name	AKAWAIO
Population	A few in Venezuela.
Alternate names	ACEWAIO, AKAWAI, ACAWAYO, ACAHUAYO, WAICÁ
Comments	Close to Macushi but not inherently intelligible. Marginally intelligible with Arecuna. Limited bilingualism. Ethnic pride. The Akawaio and Patamona call themselves 'Kapon.' Bible portions 1873. See main entry under Guyana.